1,2,3 Storytelling
Storytelling 1
Look at the front cover together.
Ask: Who can you see? Where are they? What might happen in this story? Read the whole story to your child. Encourage them to join in with the repeated phrase: “We’re going to find the monster!
Storytelling 2
Read the story again and ask your child about each page and the illustrations.
Ask: How might they feel when they see the wolf or the tiger? How do they get away? Where does the monster live? Is it really a monster? How do you know?
Storytelling 3
Ask your child to share the story with you. They tell you the story using the pictures on each page.
Ask: Where might they go on their next adventure? Did you like the story? Why? Which was your favourite part? Who was your favourite character?
Activities
Play
Monster Hunt
Create a simple route around the room. Your child travels through different “story obstacles” as you narrate: “We’re going to find the monster! What do we need to cross next?”
Ocean → move arms in swimming gesture
Mountain → climb high with knees lifting
Jungle → swish arms to move branches
Bubble Lake → turn carefully in circles with arms outstretched
Lair → crouch and crawl
Monster Says
Give instructions that link to the verbs in the story:
Examples: “Monster says climb!”, “Monster says sail!”, “Monster says creep!”, “Monster says float!”, “Monster says tiptoe.”
Your child acts out the verbs and then takes a turn to give you instructions.
Rhymes and Songs
Call-and-Response Rhyme
We’re Going on a Monster Hunt
To the rhythm of ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’:
We’re going on a monster hunt,
We’re going to find a hungry one
What a beautiful day!
We’re not scared!
Look out, an ocean! A wide, shimmering ocean.
We can’t go over it, we can’t go under it, we’ll have to go through it! (swimming action and noise)
Repeat with:
Huge, high mountain
Deep, dark jungle
Bubbly, bubbly lake
If You’re a Monster and You Know It
To the tune of ‘If You’re Happy and You Know It:
If you’re a monster and you know it, give a roar!
If you’re a monster and you know it, give a roar!
If you’re a monster and you know it,
Then your face will surely show it,
If you’re a monster and you know it, give a roar!
Repeat with: Stomp your feet, wave your claws, wiggle your tail, creep around..
Song
Five Little Monsters
Five little monsters hiding by the door,
One ran away and then there were four.
Four little monsters hiding in a tree,
One ran away and then there were three.
Three little monsters wondering what to do,
One ran away and then there were two.
Two little monsters having lots of fun,
One ran away and then there was one.
One little monster standing in the sun,
He ran away and then there were none.
No little monsters—where have they all gone?
They came back smiling, one by one!
Lost and Found is written by Malorie Blackman and illustrated by Dapo Adeola. It is published by Puffin.